Salvia plant named &#39;Little Night&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of European Meadow Sage named ‘Little Night’ that is characterized by its dwarf, compact habit and dark violet-blue flowers. Additionally, the flowering stems (spikes) are short and compact with small-sized foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: The ornamentalplant variety of this invention is botanically identified as Salvianemerosa (superba).

Variety denomination: The variety denomination is ‘Little Night’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct plant variety ofSalvia nemerosa (superba), more commonly known as European Meadow Sage.The new variety has dwarf-like characteristics, including: compactgrowth habit; short, compact flowering stems (spikes); and small-sizedfoliage.

European Meadow Sage is a perennial, ornamental plant used in gardenlandscapes. Its attractive violet-blue flowers and adaptation to avariety of soil conditions, including clay, contribute to its broadmarket appeal and utilization.

Discovered and asexually propagated by the inventor, ‘Little Night’ wasselected from a cultivated area in a residential garden located in SaltLake City, Utah on Jun. 8, 2011. While the exact parentage of thepresent invention is uncertain, ‘Little Night’ is likely anun-hybridized garden seedling of Salvia nemerosa (superba) ‘May Night’.This statement is based on the observation of the surrounding plantswhere the invention was discovered in that ‘May Night’ was the onlyspecies of salvia plants in the area. ‘Little Night’ distinguisheditself from the surrounding seedlings through its much smallermature-sized stems and the shorter length of flower spikes.

In July 2011, the discovered invention was transported and replantedinto a pot and cultivated in a greenhouse located in Santa Fe, NewMexico where it was observed for two years. Propagation via vegetativecuttings began in August of 2011 under the direction of the inventor ofthe present invention. The method utilized softwood cuttings dipped in astandard-strength rooting hormone. The cuttings were then placed underintermittent mist for approximately 4 weeks until they rooted. Thistesting was repeated in professional nursery settings in Santa Fe, NewMexico and Landenberg, Pa. Propagation testing continued through twogenerations and the testing demonstrated that the distinctcharacteristics described herein are true-to-type and transmissible byasexual reproduction with uniformity and stability.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits represent the characteristics of the new variety‘Little Night’. These traits in combination distinguish this varietyfrom all other commercial varieties known to the inventor.

-   -   1. Dwarf, compact habit;    -   2. Short, compact flowering stems (spikes) with small-sized        foliage; and    -   3. Dark violet flowers.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for and‘Little Night’ has not been offered for sale more than a year before thefiling date of this application. ‘Little Night’ has not been promotedunder any other breeder's reference or cultivar name.

Plants of ‘Little Night’ have not been observed under all possibleenvironmental and cultural conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhatwith variations in environmental conditions, for example, withfluctuation in temperature, soil chemistry, and photoperiod without,however, any variance in genotype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH(S)

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall, typicalappearance of the new and distinct salvia plant showing the colors astrue as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions ofconventional photography. Due to color variation reproduced in thephotographs, color characteristics of this new variety should bedetermined with reference to the observations described herein, ratherthan a reliance on the photographs alone. Photographs were takenoutdoors in May and June 2014 unless otherwise indicated. The differentphotographs are intended to represent the distinctive characteristics of‘Little Night’.

FIG. 1 (taken in April 2014) is a close up view of the flower spikes andleaves.

FIG. 2, taken indoors under natural light in a greenhouse setting,demonstrates the size of 18 month-old plants growing in #1 gallon potsas compared to the size of a felt-tip marker.

FIG. 3 is a close-up of the foliage.

FIG. 4 demonstrates the overall habit and coloration of the invention.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new variety ‘LittleNight’. Data was collected from a plant approximately 18 months-old inJune 2014. The color determinations are in accordance with the 2007edition of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart published by TheRoyal Horticultural Society (London, England), except where generalcolor terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used and colorreadings were observed under natural, outdoor light.

TABLE 1 VARIETY DESCRIPTION Classification: Botanical: Salvia Nemerosa(superba) Common: European Meadow Sage Parentage: Parent One: Unknown,likely the commercially available, Salvia Nemerosa (superba) named ‘MayNight’ (unpatented) Parent Two: Unknown Propagation: Vegetatively Plant:Ploidy: Diploid Height, unpruned (m): Short, 15.5 to 18.0 cm (stems) and25.5 to 28.0 cm (flower spikes) Spread (cm): 36.0 to 46.0 cm Vigor:Moderate Growth habit: Compact, upright growing stems and flower spikesLife cycle duration: Perennial Cold tolerance: USDA zone 4 Optimaltemperature Very tolerant of a wide range range: of growing temperaturesLateral Branch: Quantity per plant:  8 to 12 Strength: Strong Length,from point of  5.0 to 20.0 cm attachment of the upper lateral branch tothe top (cm): Diameter (mm or cm): 2.0 mm measured from base of lateralbranch Texture: Smooth and slightly pubescent Color: RHS Green 143BInternode length (cm):  1.5 to 3.0 cm Internode color: RHS Green 143BLeaves: Quantity of leaves per 12 to 20 lateral branch, average:Arrangement: Opposite, decussate Size (lamina average): Length (mm):40.0 mm Width (mm): Medium, 15.0 mm Type: Simple Shape: Oblong tolanceolate at top Apex: Rounded to acute at top Base: Cordate to obliquerounded Margin: Crenate Cross section: Flat Leaf blade length (mm): 10.0to 30.0 mm (at top); 40.0 to 50.0 (at base) Leaf blade width (mm): 12.0to 20.0 mm Venation: Slightly reticulate on bottom Surface: Uppersurface texture: Glabrous and slightly grooved Lower surface texture:Net veined and slightly pubes- cent especially on veins Petiole: Shape:Straight with slight flare at stem attachment on lower leaves, petiolateon lower leaves only and upper leaves are sessile Thorns, Spines: AbsentLength (mm):  2.0 to 20.0 mm Width (mm):  1.0 to 2.0 mm Flowers:Inflorescence Type: Verticillaster Age of plant when 12 months firstbloom: Bloom habit Recurrent (frequency in the season): Time of year forLate spring (mid-May in first bloom: USDA zone 6) Length of blooming 4weeks time (days): Color: Upon opening: RHS Violet N-88A Aged: RHSPurple-Violet N82-A New bracts upon opening: RHS Red-Purple 72-A Agedbracts: RHS Green 143B Structure (eg. Complete): Complete, bilabiateAverage size: Length (mm): 10.5 mm Width (mm):  7.0 mm Arrangement:Whorled around central axis of stem Type: 6 per false whorl Fragrance:None Bud: Shape: Rounded to scale-like (immature), round (mature) Length(mm): Immature: 2.5 mm Mature: 5.5 mm Width (mm): Immature: 1.25 mmMature: 2.6 mm Color, mature RHS Green 143B tipped with (beforeopening): RHS Violet N88B Petal: Number, average: 5 Arrangement:Bilabiate Length (mm): Posterior lip: 8.2 mm Anterior lip: 6.8 mm Width(mm): Posterior lip: 1.1 mm Anterior lip: 3.8 mm Shape: Bilabiate: fusedat bottom, zygomorphic Apex shape: Rounded Base shape: Fused into tubeMargin: Smooth Pubescence: Sparsely pubescent on exterior of petalColor: RHS Violet N88A Throat: Length (mm):  4.3 mm Width (mm):  1.7 mmSepals: Number (per flower): 5 Shape: Slightly bilabiate Length (mm): 5.5 mm Width (mm):  2.25 mm Apex: Lanceolate Texture: Smooth Peduncle:Length (mm): 12.0 to 18.0 mm Diameter (mm):  2.0 to 2.5 mm Angle: 180°Texture: Stem-like, smooth with slight pubescence Pedicel: Length (mm): 1.0 mm Width (mm):  0.7 mm Calyx: Shape: United at base with lance-olate tips, slightly bilabiate Length (mm):  5.5 mm Diameter (mm):  1.0mm Reproductive Organs: Fertility, self: No Stamen: Number: 2 Length(mm):  1.5 mm Anther: Length (mm):  0.5 mm Width (mm):  0.1 mm Filamentlength (mm):  1.0 mm Pistil Number: 1 Length (mm): 11.0 mm Style Length(mm):  8.0 mm Width (mm):  0.4 mm Ovary Shape: Round Diameter (mm): 0.85 mm Pollen Amount: Minimal Color: Yellow Seed Quantity: Up to 4 perflower Shape: Round Texture: Hard, smooth Color: Light brown Diameter(mm):  1.3 mm Fruit Type: Schizocarp Diameter (mm):  2.2 mm

-   Best mode growing conditions:    -   -   Soil conditions.—Grows well in all types of soil conditions,            including clay.        -   Water use/drought tolerance.—Drought tolerant, xeric when            planted in the ground.        -   Fertilization.—None required for propagation, add standard            water soluble 15-15-15 or similar formulation weekly during            growing season.-   Known pest susceptibility: Spider Mites-   Comparison to similar varieties: In comparison to the likely parent    (Parent One), a commercially available, unpatented variety of Salvia    nemerosa (superb) named ‘May Night’, the growth habit of the said    invention, 230 ‘Little Night’, is much more compact. ‘Little Night’    also has shorter, more compact flowering stems (spikes) and smaller    foliage size. Parent Two is unknown; therefore, no comparison can be    made. ‘Little Night’ differs from the commercially available Salvia    nemerosa named ‘Haeumanarc’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,322) in that the    flowers of ‘Little Night’ are 235 a much darker violet, the flower    spikes are more compact, the plant height in the flower and stem    portions are shorter than ‘Haeumanarc’ by a few centimeters, and the    parentage is different.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Salvia nemerosa (superba)having the characteristics substantially as described and illustratedherein.